Platts Vegas 2018: Reporter’s Notebook

Calendar clashes, avocado implements and steak—a few notes and observations from the sidelines of the Platts Global Power Markets conference in Las Vegas.

· There probably aren’t many project finance borrowers that could get away with holding their annual lender meeting while Platts’ flagship power markets conference is in full swing more than 2,000 miles away, but NextEra Energy is clearly one of them. Senior project finance bankers had to flit between Las Vegas and Juno Beach, Fla., to attend both.

· The PFR prize for oddest marketing swag goes to BNY Mellon for the second year running (PFR, 4/28/17). The bank was again offering its three-in-one avocado tool at its booth in the exhibitor hall. The item, which features the bank’s logo, “splits, pits and slices avocados safe and effectively,” according to the packaging.

· Paul Cusenza, ceo of power futures exchange Nodal Exchange, delivered a wide-ranging address at the luncheon on day two of the conference, including fascinating digressions on blockchain technology and even the freight trucking industry, as conference goers enjoyed perfectly cooked filet mignon with garlic butter.